Kin of Kennedy wife blasts report of her violence and mental problems

The family of Mary Kennedy has condemned a Newsweek report that she had a psychological disorder and was violent toward her estranged husband, Robert Kennedy Jr., as "vindictive lies" and "scurrilous."

The Newsweek story, written by Kennedy historian Laurence Leamer, was based on a "scurrilous affidavit . . . written by Bobby Kennedy as part of a contentious custody battle and was nothing more than a brutal psychological weapon in the divorce case," said the family's statement. The family also said the allegation that Mary, who killed herself in the barn of her Bedford home on May 16, suffered from Borderline Personality Disorder is "an insult to those who do struggle with this mental illness."

The affidavit recounts a series of violent and disturbing incidents, such as Mary threatening suicide in front of her children, pummeling Robert and stealing items belonging to Robert's daughter, Kick, from his first marriage. Robert also recounts in the affidavit how Mary ran over and killed the family dog, Porcia. In addition, a housekeeper told Leamer that a month before the suicide she found Mary, who "was drinking a lot," passed out in the kitchen face down in a plate of food.

Mary's siblings opposed burying Mary in the Kennedy family plot in Hyannis Port and have waged a bitter battle with the Kennedy clan since her suicide, holding their own memorial service.